Rangers sign Hamilton to 2-year deal

Thursday, February 10, 2011

TSN

The Texas Rangers have scheduled an afternoon press conference to announce the signing of outfielder Josh Hamilton to a two-year contract, thus avoiding arbitration with the reigning American League MVP.

Photographed by:File, Getty Images

Arlington, TX - The Texas Rangers have scheduled an afternoon press conference to announce the signing of outfielder Josh Hamilton to a two-year contract, thus avoiding arbitration with the reigning American League MVP.

Although financial terms were not disclosed, the deal is reportedly worth $24 million.

The 29-year-old topped the majors with a .359 batting average and .633 slugging percentage last season. He had 32 homers, scored 95 runs, knocked 40 doubles and drove in 100 runs despite missing most of the final month with fractured ribs.

Hamilton helped the Rangers make their first-ever World Series appearance in 2010.

The Rangers knocked off Tampa Bay in the AL Division Series, then beat the New York Yankees to reach the Fall Classic.

Hamilton was the ALCS MVP, but had just two hits in 20 at-bats — one was a solo home run — as Texas was beaten in five games by San Francisco, ending the Rangers' surprising run.

It's been an arduous journey to success for Hamilton.

Long on talent and taken No. 1 by Tampa Bay in the 1999 draft, he was injured early in his minor league career and fell into a pattern of drug abuse that earned him a suspension from baseball.

Tampa cut ties with Hamilton and he ended up with Cincinnati after the Chicago Cubs selected him in the Rule 5 Draft.

Though he shined with the Reds in 2007 while playing his first 90 games in the majors, Hamilton's comeback story was ultimately written in Arlington.

He was an All-Star in 2008 — he finished with a career-high 130 RBI that season — and stole the show with a breathtaking performance during the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.

Injuries plagued his 2009 campaign, limiting him to just 89 games, but Hamilton was a force in leading the Rangers to their first AL West crown since 1999.